City Of Philadelphia Office Of Human Resources

2H67

HUMAN RESOURCES PROGRAM SPECIALIST

Specialties

General Definition

This is supervisory and specialized technical analysis work in the city's central personnel or labor relations agency. The class is differentiated from related classes by citywide responsibility and designation as the chief technical specialist in the area of specialization for the department. The employees in this class serve as the departmental training specialist in the area of specialization with responsibility for developing and conducting a training program for a rotating group of personnel analysts, including analysts from other personnel disciplines, and for developing and conducting training programs for use in a citywide training curriculum. A significant aspect of the work is developing and maintaining a database on a personal computer for the area of specialization. The employee in the benefits specialty supervises the City administered benefits plan through subordinate supervisors and must serve as primary liaison with insurance carriers and benefits consultants. The employee in the labor relations specialty is responsible for processing grievances and arbitrations and serving as principle liaison with one or more municipal labor unions. Work involves regular contact with a variety of departmental and union officials. The employee in the training and development specialty is responsible for planning, implementing and evaluating a citywide program of training and development. The employees are supervised by a higher level administrative or technical superior.

Allocating Factors:

(The following conditions must be met for a position to be allocated to this class.)

The employee in the labor relations specialty must be responsible for processing grievances and arbitrations and serving as principle liaison with one or more municipal labor unions.

The employee in the training and development specialty must have responsibility for planning, implementing and evaluating a citywide program of training and development.

The employee in the benefits specialty must have responsibility for supervising the city administered benefits plan through subordinate supervisors and must serve as primary liaison with insurance carriers and benefits consultants.

May assign work to a rotating group of analysts; reviews reports and recommendations made by subordinates; participates in selection of analysts for a period of participation in program; determines if analysts are prepared to function independently and to accept areas of responsibility in the specialty area; confers with analysts' supervisor to evaluate performance.

Develops strategies and initiatives intended to accomplish objectives of the specialty area; confers with superiors to resolve problems; analyzes relevant factors, laws, contracts, regulations and procedures; prepares a variety of narrative and statistical reports; confers with managers of operating departments to explain program objectives, initiatives and procedures; assists operating department managers in implementing specialty area programs; develops proposals and models for new specialty area programs.

Develops database in area of specialization for a personal computer; maintains data; develops report formats; prepares reports using database; analyzes statistical data; trains other analysts and support staff in use of personal computer and data base; analyzes non-automated data to determine applicability for inclusion in automated systems; confers with department computer staff to develop additional computer programs and report formats.

Supervises and serves as the internal expert for the City administered plan of medical benefits, flexible benefits for non-represented employees, life insurance plans for non-uniformed employees, and the secondary placement of employees injured on duty; contacts City departments, employees, other government agencies and various private entities to provide and/or obtain information on employee benefit matters.

Supervises, through subordinate supervisors, the activities of a clerical staff engaged in processing claims, maintaining records and informing employees of specific benefits, regulations and other provisions; assists staff in answering questions or making eligibility determinations on the more difficult and controversial benefits claims.

Participates in the preparation of requests for proposals from prospective insurance carriers to obtain best employee coverage and cost to city; participates in the evaluation of services, coverage, and options available through insurance carriers, to identify proposals that best meet the needs of the City.

Serves as primary liaison with benefits consultants and insurance carriers; compiles and evaluates statistical and other data to prepare various reports; provides data and reports to consultants and insurance company representatives; may represent the Director in meetings to discuss administration of benefits programs and changes in health benefits.

Determines Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) status for all City classes and positions; reviews and evaluates requests for change in FLSA status.

Supervises staff of technical specialists engaged research into various human resources issues; presents reports to managers; directs and participates in surveys of the hiring and human resources practices of other organizations; prepares analytical reports on the impact of legislation and regulations on the City; proposes revisions to policies and procedures; develops and revises regulations and procedures; prepares cost analysis; provides information to management for use in collective bargaining process.

Reviews and approves analysis of eligibility to compete in examinations; leads teams of hiring team analysts on job evaluation projects; directs examination projects as assigned.

Develops or directs targeted recruitment plans to meet the City's short and long-term hiring requirements and succession planning needs; identifies sources of prospective candidates; develops strategies to contact prospective candidates; prepares information for posting on City internet site; revises internet content and format to enhance recruitment initiatives; develops recruitment literature and promotional material; contacts representatives of colleges, universities, trades schools, professional associations and other organizations to identify prospective candidates and to alert those candidates about employment opportunities with the City; conducts analyses of the City workforce to identify and anticipate recruitment needs.

Acts as principal contact between the Mayorís Office of Labor Relations and one or more municipal labor unions; provides staff assistance to the City's negotiating team in the preparation of background studies on issues and demands for union-management contract negotiations; researches and prepares presentations concerning wage and benefit practices and trends; attends and participates in negotiations with employee organizations; revises existing or prepares new civil service regulations necessary to implement contract agreements and interest arbitration awards; acts as management representative and contract with union officials on matters pertaining to the administration and interpretation of contract and arbitration awards; disseminates information to departmental and city officials regarding changes in practices and procedures as a result of negotiation or arbitration.

Advises departmental officials on courses of action concerning disciplinary cases and other matters which affect the wages, hours, and terms and conditions of employment as covered by contract; develops proposals for the application of city-wide standards and procedures in disciplinary matters; represents management in the hearing, negotiation and settlement of grievances including arbitration.

Plans and determines training and development program objectives and goals; assesses training needs throughout city government and recommends appropriate policies, programs and priorities; develops program staffing requirements, budgets and schedules; coordinates activities and functions with other personnel and departmental programs; provides policy direction and procedures for training officers of the various City departments; establishes and maintains record keeping systems pertaining to scheduling, billing and reporting of educational and training activities.

Confers with City agency officials and training specialists on the development of training programs to resolve operational and managerial problems; reviews requests for training leave and specialized training provided by consultants to determine conformity to City procedures and regulations; approves or disapproves requests.

Plans, organizes, directs and coordinates the work of analysts and clerks engaged in developing and administering training and development programs for a variety of organizations and employees.

Required Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

Knowledge Of:

the principles and practices of public personnel and merit system administration.

the provisions of the Cityís Civil Service regulations, employment law, labor laws, and union contracts pertinent to the area of specialization.

the principles, practices and techniques of analysis required to evaluate, revise and develop policies and programs in the area of specialization.

supervisory principles and practices.

the principles and practices of developing and conducting training programs for topics relevant to the area of specialization.

Ability To:

evaluate training proposal quality and cost and select the best available program.

negotiate agreements with training vendors.

select and adapt available material and to prepare original material for training needs.

speak effectively before groups.

Minimum Acceptable Training And Experience

(The following statement represents the minimum training and experience standards which will be used to admit or reject applicants for tests. Applications submitted by candidates for this class will be reviewed based on training and experience requirements as approved on 9/11.)

Education

Compensation Specialty:

Masterís degree in business administration, public administration or a related field; OR

Bachelor's degree and Certification as a Certified Compensation Professional by World at Work

All Other Specialties

Completion of a bachelor's degree program at an accredited college or university. AND

Experience

Five years of personnel or labor relations analysis experience, one year of which shall have been at the supervisory or technical specialist level in the area of specialization.

Physical And Medical Requirements

Ability to physically perform the duties and to work in the environmental conditions required of a position in this class.